GOPB Part 5 - The Patient Computer

Promise 5 - I pledge to adjust the settings on my computer so that it automatically goes into standby mode when it is inactive for 30 minutes.

The standby setting on your computer is a beautiful thing. It automatically shifts the machine into a low power mode whenever you leave it alone long enough. In a way it reminds me of Chad. If he receives no outside interaction for a given period of time, he will eventually take a nap.

While this is obviously a great power-saving tool, I have also found it serves a second purpose. I have a tendency to “zone out” while working. My mind finds some strange path away from the present task and follows it until interrupted by some external stimulus. The monitor of my computer flicking off seems just the right sort of signal to bring me around. Mid-daydream the screen goes dark, and I am instantly back where I belong.

So, while the pledge suggests a thirty minute setting on your computer, I think those of you with a tendency to “space” might want to consider something a bit shorter. It will save energy and your workday. I am so prone to mental shutdown that I have programed my computer sleep alarm to 5 minutes. Chances are if I’m not responsive for 5 minutes, I’m not going to be without some intervention.

Chad’s Green Office Tips

I don’t have much to add to the computer settings as it is pretty straight forward, but I do have one other tip that goes hand in hand with this topic. While we are reducing the power our PC’s are using at work, why not take care of other peripherals at your desk that are also sucking power while you are away from your desk. Most modern electronics will use standby or vampire power even when not in use while they are plugged in and sitting in standby mode.

There are fancier options out there but I really like this simple, $30 7 Outlet Smart Strip Surge Protector that will automatically help you reduce your vampire energy usage while away from the office. All you do is plug in you PC to the blue “control” outlet and the strip will sense when your PC is on or off. When it’s off it will also cut the power automatically to the other devices that are plugged into the strip such as your monitor and cell phone charger. There are also two red outlets in the strip that will remain on no matter what for your clock or anything else you don’t want to cycle on and off every night.

Also, check out the PowerSave software by Faronics which claims to save over $25 per year on every computer in your office by analyzing usage patterns and optimizing each computers power management actions.

This post is part of our ongoing, 30 part series breaking down the Green Office Pledge. Sign up for the pledge and be sure to check out the rest of the series for more tips and anectdotes.